The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 181

Chapter 181

Andrea waited two whole days.

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But what she got was this: her top donor not only dropped his grand plans to whisk her off overseas with a crazy dowry, but he also turned around and demanded she pay back the whopping $600,000 he’d previously showered on her.

Andrea, at her absolute wits‘ end, went to find her mom, Laura.

In a deserted part of the park, Andrea kept her face hidden beneath a mask and dark sunglasses.

Laura couldn’t help blurting out, “Didn’t you say that guy promised you thirty million as a dowry? Why’d he bail all of a sudden?”

Andrea was so frantic, she couldn’t stop pacing. “How could I know he’d flip out like that? The minute I called, he was out here asking for his money back–what am I supposed to do?”

Laura urged, trying to soothe her. “Andrea, you need to work lan for a solution. He’s the heir to Kingsford’s wealthiest family–if he’s got anything, it’s money. There’s got to be a way.”

Andrea yanked off her mask, showing Laura the bruises covering her face.

Andrea clenched her jaw, voice trembling with anger. “Mom, look at this. Ian’s wife did it–she actually hit me! That crazy woman refuses to let him leave her.”

Andrea huffed, “Ian sorted out a place for me and covers Eric’s tuition, but other than that? Not a dime. I tell him I want a new purse, and it’s like I’m talking to a wall. Honestly, I’m starting to suspect he never cared about me at all.”

Andrea shot Laura a quick look, then clammed up mid–sentence, biting back the rest of what she wanted to

say.

Laura grabbed Andrea’s hand, her voice trembling. “Andrea, raising you and your brother was no walk in the park. Your brother’s a lost cause–you’re the only one this family can count on now.”

Laura continued, “I know you’re hurting, but right now, Chloe and your brother are fighting nonstop, talking divorce. Your two little nephews are still so young–can you really stand by and watch their family fall apart?”

Laura added, “I know you can make it big. When your nephews grow up, I’ll make sure they treat you like royalty. Just figure something out–help your brother and Chloe get a house, so they can finally settle down.”

“My head’s spinning, Mom, but I promise–I’ll find a way to get the cash.”

After parting ways with Laura, Andrea slipped off to a quiet corner of the park, trying to hide from the world.

She called Mitchell a couple times, but he kept giving her the same old excuse: “Ian’s busy.”

Her face was still swollen and battered thanks to Chloe’s beating, and she didn’t dare face Ian with a mug like

this.

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Chapter 181

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She’d thought she could hustle that fat guy for a few million to keep herself afloat. Turns out he was a total flake–switched up on her in no time, now even wanting his cash back. Damn, talk about two–faced.

With nowhere else to go, Andrea was barely getting by, forced to rely on online microloans just to cover her basic living expenses.

Meanwhile, at the hospital entrance, Philip dropped Simon off.

“Dr. Irvine, I really appreciate you taking care of Simon these last few days,” Philip said.

Carl took Simon’s little suitcase with one hand and held Simon’s hand with the other. “Mr. Foster, there’s no need to be so polite. Simon and I hit it off, and my parents absolutely adore the kid. You have nothing to worry about–he’ll be totally fine at our place.”

Philip said, “Dr. Irvine, if you’re really serious about getting a divorce, once I close this case, I’ll take care of it for you. Free of charge.”

Chloe’s heart skipped a beat at his offer, then uncertainty crept in as she hesitated.

She bit her lip, glancing at Philip. “Mr. Foster, I don’t want to trouble you.”

Not a single lawyer in Kingsford even dares to take on her divorce case.

Philip’s always been strictly a business lawyer–if he breaks his own rule for her, she’d be in his debt, big time. And with someone like Philip, that’s no small thing.

Seeing Chloe hesitate, Philip said firmly, “It’s settled–I’ll take care of your divorce case for you.”

Chloe watched Philip stride away, then tousled Simon’s hair fondly. “Since your dad’s helping out, I won’t say no. I’ll cover his fee, and maybe he’ll get you some snacks with it.”

Simon tipped his head up, grinning. “That’s what dads are supposed to do, Mom! You don’t have to thank him.”

Chloe looked at Simon, that cheeky little guy, and couldn’t help but sigh with a smile.

‘Why is it that all the best–behaved kids always seem to belong to someone else?‘ she thought.

So smart, so polite, and such a smooth talker–honestly, Chloe had no idea how Philip pulled this parenting magic off.

‘He really is a little charmer, Chloe mused.

With a little time left before her shift ended, Chloe brought Simon straight into her office.

Joanna wandered over, teasing Simon and then shooting Chloe a cheeky look: “So, Ms. Irvine, still not officially divorced yet?”

12:36 Sat, Oct 4

Ian hadn’t expected Chloe to agree to dinner with him, and he couldn’t help but let a small smile tug at his lips.

Chloe ordered a kids‘ meal for Simon. “No seafood sauce in the soup, and be sure to add a few extra cherry tomatoes to his entree.”

Ian sat across from Chloe, his gaze locked onto her, quietly watching the way she looked after Simon while

12:37 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 181

ordering his food.

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‘If only we hadn’t lost that baby, Chloe would have been the absolute best mom ever,‘ Ian thought, his heart twisting with regret.

Every time Ian remembered the child he and Chloe once had, it felt like a sharp pain stabbed right through

his chest.

Simon, sitting right next to Chloe, piped up, “Mom, that uncle seems upset.”

Simon’s words made Ian’s expression instantly darken.

Chloe glanced over at Ian. “What’s with that look on your face?”

Ian’s eyes glinted with unspoken feelings, and his voice came out surprisingly gentle as he murmured, “Are you actually worried about me?”

Chloe glanced down, dodging Ian’s heated gaze. “No matter how much of an ass you are, we’ve been childhood friends for over twenty years.”

Ian practically lunged forward, gripping Chloe’s hand with a rush of emotion. “Chloe, I knew it–you still have feelings for me. Tonight, I’ll own up to everything in front of my parents, make things right, and bring you back home. Just say yes, okay?”

Chloe glared back at him. “You think after all the crap you’ve put me through, some apology is supposed to fix it?”

Ian held Chloe’s hands tightly, his eyes pleading. “Chloe, please… just give me another chance. Trust me this time—I swear, I’ll never hurt you again.”

Chloe paused, keeping her voice cool. “If you really mean it, and want me to trust you, show me–divorce me first.”

Chloe barely finished her sentence before Ian jerked his hands back, almost on reflex.

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